Thursday, April 23, 2009

It all started when

Rhododendron Blossom
colored pencil on Strathmore 500 Bristol
4 x 4 inches
©Ann Thompson Nemcosky

I decided it was high time I did a little updating on my website. My website had been badly neglected for quite a while so I was happy to get that task crossed off my to-do list. But then, since I was in an updating mood, I decided to try out a new look for this blog. It wasn't that I was unhappy with the old look, I liked the colorful design, but it was beginning to bother me as it seemed a bit busy. I felt at times that the art work was lost on the page. Plus I was never satisfied with they way images with a white background were undefined on the white blog background. For a couple of hours there yesterday I had a gray background. Which was okay but not really me. So I settled on this look. What do you think?

Above is my entry for April's Virtual Sketch Date. It is from a lovely photo reference by Jeanette Jobson. This was my second attempt. I am not even going to show you my first attempt. When I tried it this second time I came in closer and was much happier with this simplified crop.

25 comments:

Alex said...

^^ I think you've nailed it! Great job!

Rose Welty said...

This is a fabulous crop Ann...it seems just about to move and open up...and the bud glows from within.

Jennifer Rose said...

I think it the blog looks good. Goes well with your site :) The background colour isn't too bright or dark.

wonderful drawing :D really captured the colours and the detail in the blossoms. very nice close crop

Carol said...

You've done an incredible job!

Carol O. said...

Very Very pretty. I have already tried drawing this 3 times today and I'm getting frustrated. I was being nosey and I took a look at your new website. I think that your new format really showcases your art. I like it:)

christine said...

This is beautiful, Ann! The texture of the flower petals is so well-rendered!

leslie said...

I like the blog color, Ann! Your work does show well on it.

Your VSD rhododendron is super!
Love the close crop. I did a closeup, too.

Paulette said...

Great crop, love the colour on the petals!

cathyswatercolors said...

just beautiful love the crop

joanieART said...

You work magic with those colored pencils. Beautiful upclose and personal rhodie!

Unknown said...

I like the look - nice and subtle background for all your lovely colors.

Great crop on this painting - I love what you've done with it. Delicious, deep color...

Leigh said...

Wow, this is so beautiful and subtle. It makes me want to throw paint on mine to tone it down!! I am not sure I'll ever get the hang of this colored pencil thing. Really beautiful work...

Margaret Ann said...

Love the crop and your color blends...rich and gorgeous! :)

Timaree said...

The blog is great and so is your new pic. It took me well over a year to make my blog look anything other than the template. Yours is a soft color that goes well with your colored pencil work.

Lynn said...

Ann, your colored pencil work always blows me away, but this one is spectacular! And I like the clean, fresh new look of your blog.

MILLY said...

Very nice. Your detail and colours are amazing in a 4x4inches. Like the new blog colour too.
People often say my ink work looks like a woodcut, once did it at college, over thirty years ago!

Anonymous said...

Ann.......I love the new look of your blog! The background is perfect........soft, warm, easy on the eyes and your art showcases beautifully! very nice.. deni.........;)

M J Muir said...

The background colour and look of your blog of your blog is easy on the eyes. A perfect compliment to your art.
I like the way you closed in on the blossom. Your work is sensitive and most pleasing.

Lori said...

I love the tight crop on the image that you did. the colours and drawing are exactly perfect. Wow!

Gary Keimig said...

Nice work Ann. I am amazed looking through various artists blogs about how many artists are using colored pencil. And some really fine work being produced. I have been tempted at times to try it and if I keep looking at the work you folks are producing I may just do it.
Great job.

Victoria on Okinawa said...

Nicely done! I love the close up cropped view.

Ann said...

Thanks everyone for stopping by and leaving such nice comments!

seesue said...

this is great! You've given such great shape with colour. Yum!

Carolina said...

I love it, one of my favorites from the rododendron challenge.

Art is for the Making said...

Yes! Fabulous.

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